11 May 2007
Seize the moment SMMEs told as 2010 beckons!
"It's a matter of forging partnerships, ensuring efficient information dissemination and making sure that we maximise the benefits of the forthcoming 2010 event." Addressing more than a thousand delegates attending the Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) workshop at this year's Tourism Indaba, Dr Patrick Matlou, the Director-General of Tourism at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, today Friday, 11 May 2007, challenged the players in this sector to take advantage of the opportunities as presented by South Africa's hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. "The countdown is fast and beckoning and we need to position ourselves as SMMEs sector in view of the opportunities offered by this huge event," he said.
The SMME workshop is organised annually by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism in a bid to empower SMMEs with information related to growing their businesses but also making sure that their product offerings respond to the current trends in the market. This years' workshop, attended by bed-and-breakfast owners, tourist guide operators, travel and tours, security, event managers and corporate hospitality services focused on SMME opportunities presented by the hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Matlou said that this was a huge marketing opportunity internationally because soccer fans will not only come here to watch football but will also take the chance to explore what South Africa has to offer in its tourism landscape. "You need to look at ways in which you network with all role players in the sector including the FIFA commercial partners to ensure full blown marketing of your products" he told delegates.
Meanwhile, Ms Itumeleng Dlamini of the Local organising committee also updated the delegates on 2010 Soccer World Cup state of readiness and also identified some opportunities for the SMME sector. "When the world descends to South Africa, we expect tourist flows from new markets from the globe and we would like to encourage our small business people to look out and be ready for these opportunities" she said.
She added that soccer is not just a game but a global business which offers opportunities in broadcasting, sponsorships, merchandising and now construction opportunities with 2010 in the horizon. "There are other procurement opportunities from the FIFA corporate partners which can be explored" she told delegates. With regard to accommodation, Ms Dlamini was excited that "it was the first time FIFA considered non hotel accommodation and this emphasised the point of this World Cup as a unique South African experience."
She also said it was important to look to the benefits of the tournament not only during the days of the competition but beyond. "Even after the dust settles, we need to ask the pertinent question: what has this world cup done for us'?" she said. "We are talking road infrastructure, jobs, investment, skills and empowerment of business people, big and small" she said as she outlined the envisaged legacy of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Dlamini emphasised that these benefits are premised on the vision to promote country and continent and in strengthening South Africa's role as a global player and competitor. "This is Africa's world cup, this is your world cup," she said. Other presentations that were made at the workshop included quality assurance by the South African Grading Council, The Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Charter and Codes of Good Practice and the Tourism Enterprise Programme.
A presentation by MATCH, a company that is charged with the responsibility to handle accommodation on behalf of FIFA for the 2010 World Cup emphasized the need for establishments to be graded for them to qualify. "We have enough accommodation in the country to meet FIFA's demand of 55 000 beds, all we need to do is just to make sure that we prepare thoroughly to meet the quality assurance standard" said Ms Senzeni Ndebele of the Tourism Grading Council.
The SMME workshop delegates will remain for the duration of the Tourism Indaba {11–15 May 2007, Durban ICC} which will officially be opened by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.